CBS News/New York Times Poll For release: July 18, 2012 6:30 PM EDT The Presidential Race

Remains Close July 11-16, 2012 President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney remain in a close race for the presidency, effectively tied among leaned voters. One in 5 voters says they could change their mind about which candidate to support. On handling the economy which most voters say will be extremely important in their vote -- Mitt Romney holds an advantage over the President by 49% to 41%. But by a large margin, the President bests Mitt Romney on helping the middle class, 52% to 38%. More voters think President Obama (38%) cares a lot about their needs and problems than think Mitt Romney does (25%). In the wake of disappointing jobs reports and weak economic news, Americans views of the economy have become more negative in this poll. The percentage that says it is improving has dropped to 24% from 33% in April, and 30% now say it is getting worse. The Presidents approval rating on handling the economy remains low, at 39%. 64% say his policies have contributed at least some to the economic downturn.

The State of the Race The presidential contest continues to be very tight. Among registered voters who lean towards a candidate, Mitt Romney has just a one point lead over the President in this poll, well within the polls margin of error and, as other polls have shown, effectively a tie. 2012 Vote for President (Among leaned registered voters) Mitt Romney 47% Barack Obama 46 Undecided 4 Wont vote 1 The President leads among women by five points, while Romney has an 8 point lead among men. Independents favor Romney by 9 points. White evangelicals and conservatives back Romney by a large margin, while liberals and African Americans support Barack Obama. Just over half of the voters who back the President say they strongly favor him far larger than the share of Romneys supporters who say the same (29%). More than a third of the voters who back Romney say they are supporting him because they dislike President Obama. Strength of Support (Among registered voters with a candidate choice) Total Romney Voters Strongly favor 41% 29% Like with reservations 34 32 Dislike other candidate 23 37

Obama Voters 52% 37 8

But this pattern is not unusual when a challenger faces an incumbent. In June 2004, 56% of President George W. Bushs voters said they strongly favored him. Democrat John Kerrys support was mixed; 31% said they strongly favored him, but 37% said they supported him because they disliked the other candidate. There is still some room for movement in the race. About four in 5 voters say they have made up their minds which candidate to support, but for about a fifth of each candidates supporters the race is not yet over, as they say its too early and their minds could still change. Similar percentages of Obama and Romney voters could change their minds. Mind Made Up Whom to Support? (Among registered voters with a candidate choice) Total Romney Voters Obama Voters 79% 81% 79% 20 18 20

Yes Too early

Overall, a third of registered voters say they are more enthusiastic about voting in this election compared to past elections but that masks a sizable difference between Republicans and Democrats. 49% of Republicans are more enthusiastic, compared to just 27% of Democrats. Similarly, 48% of Romney voters are enthusiastic, compared to 23% of those supporting President Obama. Republican enthusiasm is growing, having risen from 36% in March. In March 2008, with a heated fight for the Democratic nomination underway, 41% of voters were more enthusiastic than usual about voting. Enthusiasm Compared to Past Elections (Among registered voters) Republicans Democrats All Now 3/2012 Now 3/2012 33% 49% 36% 27% 30% 25 20 22 24 30 41 30 43 48 39

More enthusiastic Less enthusiastic Same

Independents Now 3/2012 29% 22% 38 29 42 47

Voters attention to the presidential campaign now is similar to what it was in April; 45% are paying a lot of attention. There is little difference between Democrats (47%) and Republicans (49%). More voters were paying attention to the campaign in July 2008. Attention to the Campaign (Among registered voters) Now 4/2012 7/2008 45% 43% 53% 38 35 37 17 22 10

A lot Some Not much/none

7/2004 39% 44 17

Obama vs. Romney: The Economy and Other Issues When asked to rate the importance of a number of issues that might affect their vote, the economy and jobs ranks first among registered voters (54%) as extremely important, followed by health care (46%) and the federal budget deficit (43%). Importance in Your Vote for President (Among registered voters) Extremely Very Somewhat 54% 39 7 46% 36 15 43% 36 18 39% 41 17 37% 37 22 28% 35 29 25% 38 31 21% 23 28

Economy & jobs Health care Federal budget deficit Taxes Terrorism & security Illegal immigration Foreign policy Social issues

Not at all 0 2 2 2 3 7 4 27

Mitt Romney (49%) has the edge over Barack Obama (41%) on which candidate voters think will do a better job handling the economy and jobs. Voters also see Romney as better able to handle the federal budget deficit, taxes, and illegal immigration. The two candidates are about even when it comes to handling health care and terrorism and national security, while Barack Obama is seen as better able to handle foreign policy and social issues. Who Will Do a Better Job Handling? (Among registered voters) Mitt Romney Barack Obama Economy & jobs 49% 41 Federal budget deficit 50% 36 Taxes 47% 42 Illegal immigration 46% 38 Health care Terrorism & security Foreign policy Social issues 42% 43% 40% 37% 43 44 47 48

Obama vs. Romney: Helping the Middle Class Although Romney has the edge on handling the economy, President Obama is viewed as doing more for the middle class. Voters choose President Obama (52%) over Romney (38%) by a wide margin as the candidate who would do more to help middle class Americans. President Obama wins on this measure among all income groups. There are large partisan differences, however three in four Republicans pick Mitt Romney as the better candidate for the middle class, while nine in 10 Democrats pick Barack Obama. Independents also break for the President on this measure.

Who Will Do More to Help Middle Class Americans? (Among registered voters) Total Reps Dems Inds Barack Obama 52% 15% 87% 48% Mitt Romney 38 74 5 40 And while voters are divided as to which social class Barack Obamas policies favor, they are more decisive when it comes to Mitt Romney. 53% of voters think Mitt Romneys policies would favor the rich if he were elected president. Who Do Their Policies Favor? (Among registered voters) Barack Obama Mitt Romney 21% 53% 22 11 24 2 25 30

The rich The middle class The Poor All groups equally

Still, most voters say that neither Mitt Romneys personal wealth nor his experience as the head of the private equity firm Bain Capital will have an effect on their vote in November. 73% say his wealth will not make a difference, and 60% say the same of his tenure at Bain Capital. Among the voters who will take these into consideration, more say it will make them less likely to vote for him. How Does it Affect Your Vote for Mitt Romney? (Among registered voters) Romneys Wealth Experience with Bain Capital More likely to vote for him 5% 14% Less likely to vote for him 20 23 No difference 73 60 Obama vs. Romney: Economic Policies Relatively few voters think Barack Obamas economic policies are currently improving the economy (17%), though another one in three think they will improve the economy if given more time. 46% think they are not improving the economy and never will. There are partisan differences: most Democrats think Obamas policies are improving things now or will in the future, while half of independents and eight in 10 Republicans think his economic policies will never improve the economy. Effect of Barack Obamas Policies on the Economy (Among registered voters) Total Reps Dems Inds Improving it now 17% 6% 32% 12% Will improve it if given more time 34 14 55 31 Will never improve it 46 79 10 53 Voters are divided as to how Barack Obamas approach to creating jobs will affect their vote: 29% say it will make them more likely to vote for him, while 26% say it will make them less likely to do so. 43% say it will make no difference.

Does Obamas Approach to Job Growth Make You? (Among registered voters) Total Reps Dems Inds More likely to vote for him 29% 9% 59% 19% Less likely to vote for him 26 49 5 29 No difference 43 42 35 51 Many hold the President at least somewhat responsible for current economic problems. Looking back, nearly two-thirds of voters think the Presidents policies have contributed at least somewhat to the nations economic downturn, but far more lay a lot of the blame on his predecessor, George W. Bush. How Much Did Their Policies Contribute to the Economic Downturn? (Among registered voters) Barack Obama George W. Bush A lot 34% 48% Some 30 33 Not much/at all 35 18 Though 65% of voters think Romneys policies will follow those of former President George W. Bush at least somewhat closely, just one in five thinks his policies would do so very closely. How Closely Would Mitt Romney Follow the Policies of George W. Bush? (Among registered voters) Very closely 19% Somewhat closely 46 Not too/at all closely 25 But few voters think either candidates policies will help their own finances. That said, voters are more optimistic about the potential impact of Mitt Romneys policies than Barack Obamas on their own financial situation. More voters think Romneys policies would improve their financial situation (32%) than make it worse (25%). For Obama, the opposite is true: more voters think his policies will make their financial situation worse (39%) than make it better (26%). Impact of Policies on Own Financial Situation (Among registered voters) Barack Obama Mitt Romney Now 4/2012 Now 4/2012 Improve it 26% 26% 32% 28% Make it worse 39 38 25 26 No effect 30 33 34 36 Obama vs. Romney: Personal Qualities Majorities of voters think both Barack Obama and Mitt Romney share the values most Americans try to live by. Just over half also think both candidates mostly say what they think people want to hear rather than what they believe, though President Obama fares better than Romney on this measure. President Obama has a clear advantage in empathy: nearly four in

ten voters think he cares a lot about their needs and problems, while just one in four say the same of Romney. Does the Candidate? (Among registered voters) Barack Obama Share the values of most Americans Does 57% Does not 38 Says what He believes What people want to hear Care about your needs and problems A lot Some Not much/at all

Mitt Romney 58% 34

45% 51

37% 56

38% 25 36

25% 30 41

Voters are skeptical about whether or not Barack Obama has delivered the change he promised during his 2008 presidential campaign. Just 28% think he has delivered change that has been good for the country, while 58% think he has not delivered change. Most Democrats think he has delivered positive change, while most Republicans and independents do not. Has Barack Obama Delivered Change? (Among registered voters) Total Reps Dems Inds Yes, good for the country 28% 4% 56% 22% Yes, bad for the country 7 13 1 9 Has not delivered change 58 76 35 64 Overall, both candidates are viewed more unfavorably than favorably, but while opinion of Mitt Romney is essentially unchanged from April, favorable opinion of Barack Obama has dropped. Amid increased pessimism about the economy and after a couple of months of bad economic news, favorable evaluations of the President are down 6 points since April, to slightly more than a third, and nearly half of voters view him unfavorably. Current evaluations of the President are similar to those he received in January. Voters are more evenly divided in their views of Romney. Opinion of the Candidates (Among registered voters) Barack Obama Favorable 36% Not favorable 48 Undecided/dont know 15 Barack Obamas Presidency and the State of the Country The presidents job approval rating is mixed, as it has been for many months. Overall, 44% of Americans approve of the job Mr. Obama is doing as president, while 46% disapprove.

Mitt Romney 32% 36 31

Barack Obamas Job Approval Ratings Approve Disapprove Overall 44% 46 Economy 39% 55 Foreign policy 41% 42 More than half of Americans disapprove of the way President Obama is handling the economy. Evaluations of how the President is handling the economy are similar to what they were in March, but less positive than they were in April. Barack Obamas Handling of the Economy Now 4/2012 3/2012 39% 44% 39% 55 48 54

Approve Disapprove

The public is divided on the job the President is doing on foreign policy. The economy has long been the top concern for voters, and seven in 10 Americans continue to think the economy is in bad shape. Condition of the Economy Now 4/2012 27% 27% 71 70

Good Bad

After a disappointing jobs report earlier this month, 30% of Americans now think the economy is getting worse -- the highest percentage since last December. Just 24% say the economy is improving, a drop from 33% earlier in the spring. Direction of the Economy 4/2012 3/2012 33% 30% 28 24 38 44

Better Worse Same

Now 24% 30 45

12/2011 24% 30 45

In addition, nearly two-thirds of Americans are at least somewhat concerned that someone in their household may lose their job in the next year, including 39% who are very concerned. This level of concern is similar to what it was in February. Concerned Someone in Household Will Lose their Job Now 2/2012 Very 39% 38% Somewhat 27 27 Not at all 33 35 With three half months to go before the presidential election, most Americans continue to think the country is off on the wrong track (64%), while only 30% feel it is headed in the right direction. These opinions have held fairly steady throughout this year.

Tax Cuts President Obama has proposed extending the tax cuts passed in 2001 and 2003 for households earning less than $250,000. 49% of Americans think those tax cuts should be extended only for those with incomes below that amount. Another 27% would like to see the tax cuts extended for everyone, while 17% want them to expire for all. This is similar to public opinion in November 2010. There are differences by party, with most Democrats and nearly half of independents supporting the Presidents proposal, while a plurality of Republicans want them continued for everyone. Tax Cuts Should Continue for all Continue for households < $250K Expire for all The Health Care Ruling and the Supreme Court The U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling a few weeks ago that upheld most of the 2010 health care law, and the public is divided on the decision: 46% think the decision was a good thing, while 41% think it was bad. View of the Supreme Courts Decision to Uphold Most of the 2010 Health Care Law Total Reps Dems Inds Good thing 46% 18% 76% 40% Bad thing 41 71 12 46 Not sure 11 9 10 12 While views on the decision may be mixed, more than half of Americans think the Supreme Courts decision was based mostly on personal and political views, rather than legal analysis. Majorities of Republicans and independents hold this view, but Democrats are split. How Did the Supreme Court Decide on the 2010 Health Care Law? Total Reps Dems Inds Based on legal analysis 31% 21% 43% 29% Based on personal or political views 53 65 42 56 Overall views of the Supreme Court have changed little in the aftermath of the health care ruling. Among Republicans and conservatives, more now disapprove of the job the Supreme Court is doing than did so before the landmark ruling. Job Rating of the U.S. Supreme Court ---------- Now --------------------- May 2012 ------Total Reps Dems Inds Total Reps Dems Inds 41% 30% 48% 41% 44% 42% 51% 39% 41 52 33 42 36 35 32 39 18 18 19 17 20 23 17 22 All 27% 49 17 Reps 42% 36 16 Dems 18% 62 14 Inds 24% 48 21

Approve Disapprove DK/NA

Very few Americans express an opinion of Chief Justice John Roberts, who sided with the courts more liberal justices in upholding the health care law; most are undecided or dont know enough about him to have an opinion. Republicans and conservatives hold more negative than positive views of Chief Justice Roberts -- just 9% of conservatives view the Chief Justice favorably, while twice as many have an unfavorable opinion of him. Opinion of Chief Justice John Roberts Total Conservatives Moderates 14% 9% 20% 12 18 9 73 72 69

Favorable Not favorable Undecided/Dont know

Liberals 13% 8 77

Still, the Supreme Courts ruling does not appear to have changed overall opinions of the health care law very much: more still disapprove than approve of the law. View of the 2010 Health Care Law 5/2012 6/2011 7/2010 34% 37% 36% 48 48 49

Approve Disapprove

Now 36% 50

3/2010 37% 48

As to what Congress should do about the health care law, a third of Americans say it should be kept as is or expanded, 27% think only the individual mandate should be repealed, while 34% would like Congress to repeal the entire law. Politically, more than half of voters say the courts ruling will make no difference in their vote for president this November. Among those for whom it matters, 28% say the ruling makes them more likely to vote for Romney, while 13% say it makes them more likely to back the President. The issue of the courts ruling on health care is more of a motivator for Romney supporters than it is for those who are backing the president. How Does the Supreme Court Decision on Health Care Affect Your Vote? (Among registered voters) Total Obama Voters Romney Voters More likely to vote for Obama 13% 28% 1% More likely to vote for Romney 28 1 55 No difference 55 68 41 Congress Congress job approval rating is just 12% in this poll. ______________________________________________________________________
This poll was conducted by telephone from July 11-16, 2012 among 1,089 adults nationwide. Phone numbers were dialed from samples of both standard land-line and cell phones. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus three percentage points. The error for subgroups may be higher. This poll release conforms to the Standards of Disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

CBS NEWS/NEW YORK TIMES POLL The Presidential Race Remains Close July 11-16, 2012 attn How much attention have you been able to pay to the 2012 Presidential lot, some, not much, or no attention so far? ** REGISTERED VOTERS ** *** Party ID *** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % 45 49 47 40 38 42 31 41 14 6 18 16 3 3 3 4 0 0 1 0 campaign -- a

A lot Some Not much No attention so far DK/NA

Apr12a % 43 35 15 7 0

q1 Compared to past presidential elections, how would you describe your level of enthusiasm about voting in the 2012 presidential election this year -- are you more enthusiastic than usual, less enthusiastic, or about the same as usual? Mar12a 29 27 43 1

More enthusiastic Less enthusiastic Same DK/NA

33 25 41 1

49 20 30 1

27 24 48 1

29 28 42 1

q2 Is your opinion of Barack Obama favorable, not favorable, undecided, or haven't you heard enough about Barack Obama yet to have an opinion? Apr12a 42 45 11 2 0

Favorable Not favorable Undecided Haven't heard enough Refused

36 48 12 3 1

7 82 9 2 0

69 16 10 4 1

28 52 16 3 1

q3 Is your opinion of Mitt Romney favorable, not favorable, undecided, or haven't you heard enough about Mitt Romney yet to have an opinion? Favorable Not favorable Undecided Haven't heard enough Refused q4 HELD FOR RELEASE 32 36 21 10 1 63 5 20 11 1 5 68 16 10 1 32 31 25 9 3 29 34 22 15 0

10

q5 If the 2012 presidential election were being held today and the candidates were Barack Obama, the Democrat, and Mitt Romney, the Republican, would you vote for Barack Obama or Mitt Romney? ** REGISTERED VOTERS ** *** Party ID *** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % 43 6 82 35 45 88 9 47 2 1 0 3 1 0 2 1 2 1 2 3 7 4 5 11

Obama Romney Other (Vol.) Won't vote (Vol.) Depends (Vol.) DK/NA

q6 Is your mind made up or is it still too early to say for sure? *REGISTERED VOTERS WITH A CANDIDATE CHOICE* Total Obama Romney Voters Voters Voters % % % Mind made up 79 79 81 Too early to say for sure 20 20 18 DK/NA 1 1 1 q7 Would you describe your support for Barack Obama/Mitt Romney as strongly favoring him, or do you like him but with reservations, or do you support him because you dislike Mitt Romney/Barack Obama? *REGISTERED VOTERS WHO CHOSE OBAMA OR ROMNEY* Strongly favor 41 52 29 Like but with reservations 34 37 32 Dislike other candidate 23 8 37 DK/NA 2 3 2 q8 Well as of today, do you lean more toward Barack Obama or more toward Mitt Romney? *** Party ID *** Rep Dem Ind % % % 7 84 40 90 9 49 0 2 1 1 0 3 2 5 7

Obama Romney Won't vote (Vol.) Other (Vol.) DK/NA

Total % 46 47 1 2 4

q9 Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President? ** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** % % % 16 78 35 81 15 49 3 7 16 Apr12a % 48 42 10

Approve Disapprove DK/NA

% 44 46 10

11

q10 Do you feel things in this country are generally going in the right direction or do you feel things have pretty seriously gotten off on the wrong track? ** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** *** Party ID *** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % 30 9 49 27 64 86 43 67 6 5 8 6

Right direction Wrong track DK/NA

May12b % 31 62 7

q11 Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling foreign policy? Apr12a 46 36 18

Approve Disapprove DK/NA

41 42 17

16 68 16

64 16 20

39 46 15

q12 Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the economy? Approve Disapprove DK/NA 39 55 6 12 87 1 71 22 7 31 61 8 44 48 8

q13 Do you approve or disapprove of the way Congress is handling its job? May12b 15 77 8

Approve Disapprove DK/NA

12 79 9

10 79 11

15 78 7

11 80 9

q14 Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Supreme Court is handling its job? Approve Disapprove DK/NA 41 41 18 30 52 18 48 33 19 41 42 17 44 36 20

q15 How would you rate the condition of the national economy these days? Is it very good, fairly good, fairly bad, or very bad? Apr12a 1 26 41 29 3

Very good Fairly good Fairly bad Very bad DK/NA

1 26 39 32 2

0 15 36 48 1

2 39 36 19 4

1 23 43 32 1

q16 Do you think the economy is getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same? Better Worse Same DK/NA q17 BLANK 24 30 45 1 8 45 46 1 45 14 40 1 18 32 48 2 33 28 38 1

12

q18 Is the condition of the national economy something a president can do a lot about, or is that beyond any president's control? ** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** *** Party ID *** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % Can do a lot about 51 71 35 53 Beyond a president's control 40 24 55 39 Don't know/No answer 9 5 10 8 q19 BLANK q20-q21 SEPARATE RELEASE q22 How important is the Vice Presidential candidate when you decide how to vote in a Presidential election: Does it matter a lot to you, or does it matter somewhat, or doesn't it really affect your vote? ** REGISTERED VOTERS ** 28 27 24 46 46 50 25 27 24 1 0 2

Sep11a % 41 53 6

Matters a lot Somewhat Doesn't affect vote DK/NA

26 48 25 1

q23 In deciding how you will vote for President this year, please tell me how important each of the following issues will be. How about health care? Will health care be extremely important, very important, only somewhat important or not at all important? Extremely important Very important Somewhat important Not at all important DK/NA 46 36 15 2 1 54 29 15 2 0 53 36 9 1 1 35 42 19 4 0

q24 How about illegal immigration? Will illegal immigration be extremely important, very important, only somewhat important or not at all important? Extremely important Very important Somewhat important Not at all important DK/NA 28 35 29 7 1 37 35 23 5 0 22 33 36 7 2 26 37 28 8 1

q25 How important will social issues like abortion and same-sex marriage be? IF NECESSARY: Will social issues be extremely important, very important, only somewhat important or not at all important? Extremely important Very important Somewhat important Not at all important DK/NA 21 23 28 27 1 25 23 29 21 2 23 22 28 24 3 16 24 27 32 1

13

q26 How about the federal budget deficit? IF NECESSARY: Will the federal budget deficit be extremely important, very important, only somewhat important or not at all important? ** REGISTERED VOTERS ** *** Party ID *** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % 43 53 35 43 36 36 38 34 18 9 23 20 2 2 4 2 1 0 0 1

Extremely important Very important Somewhat important Not at all important DK/NA

q27 How about the economy and unemployment? IF NECESSARY: Will the economy and unemployment be extremely important, very important, only somewhat important or not at all important? Extremely important Very important Somewhat important Not at all important DK/NA 54 39 7 0 0 61 33 5 0 1 51 43 6 0 0 52 39 8 0 1

q28 How about foreign policy? IF NECESSARY: Will foreign policy be extremely important, very important, only somewhat important or not at all important? Extremely important Very important Somewhat important Not at all important DK/NA 25 38 31 4 2 29 45 24 0 2 23 37 33 5 2 24 35 35 5 1

q29 How about taxes? IF NECESSARY: Will taxes be extremely important, very important, only somewhat important or not at all important? Extremely important Very important Somewhat important Not at all important DK/NA 39 41 17 2 1 48 40 11 0 1 35 41 19 4 1 36 42 20 2 0

q30 How about terrorism and national security? IF NECESSARY: Will terrorism and national security be extremely important, very important, only somewhat important or not at all important? Extremely important Very important Somewhat important Not at all important DK/NA q31 BLANK 37 37 22 3 1 48 39 12 0 1 36 34 27 3 0 32 39 25 4 0

14

q32 Regardless of how you intend to vote, which candidate do you think would do a better job handling health care -- Barack Obama or Mitt Romney? ** REGISTERED VOTERS ** *** Party ID *** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % 43 9 78 38 42 78 11 44 2 0 2 2 4 5 3 5 9 8 6 11

Obama Romney Both (vol.) Neither (vol.) DK/NA

q33 Regardless of how you intend to vote, which candidate do you think would do a better job handling illegal immigration -- Barack Obama or Mitt Romney? Obama Romney Both (vol.) Neither (vol.) DK/NA 38 46 1 4 11 10 75 1 6 8 69 15 3 2 11 31 52 0 5 12

q34 Regardless of how you intend to vote, which candidate do you think would do a better job handling social issues like abortion and same-sex marriage -- Barack Obama or Mitt Romney? Obama Romney Both (vol.) Neither (vol.) DK/NA 48 37 1 6 8 20 68 1 3 8 73 15 1 3 8 46 34 1 9 10

q35 Regardless of how you intend to vote, which candidate do you think would do a better job handling the federal budget deficit -- Barack Obama or Mitt Romney? Obama Romney Both (vol.) Neither (vol.) DK/NA 36 50 1 5 8 10 82 0 1 7 70 16 2 4 8 27 56 0 9 8

q36 Regardless of how you intend to vote, which candidate do you think would do a better job handling the economy and unemployment -- Barack Obama or Mitt Romney? Obama Romney Both (vol.) Neither (vol.) DK/NA 41 49 1 3 6 9 84 0 1 6 77 12 1 3 7 34 54 0 4 8

15

q37 Regardless of how you intend to vote, which candidate do you think would do a better job handling foreign policy -- Barack Obama or Mitt Romney? ** REGISTERED VOTERS ** *** Party ID *** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % Obama 47 13 77 44 Romney 40 74 13 39 Both (vol.) 2 1 3 1 Neither (vol.) 3 1 0 5 DK/NA 8 11 7 11 q38 Regardless of how you intend to vote, which candidate do you think would do a better job handling taxes -- Barack Obama or Mitt Romney? Obama Romney Both (vol.) Neither (vol.) DK/NA 42 47 0 4 7 13 81 0 1 5 78 14 1 1 6 31 53 0 9 7

q39 Regardless of how you intend to vote, which candidate do you think would do a better job handling terrorism and national security -- Barack Obama or Mitt Romney? Obama Romney Both (vol.) Neither (vol.) DK/NA 44 43 4 3 6 14 76 3 0 7 81 10 3 2 4 33 49 4 6 8

q40 Regardless of how you intend to vote, which candidate do you think would do more to help middle class Americans -- Barack Obama or Mitt Romney? Obama Romney Both (vol.) Neither (vol.) DK/NA 52 38 1 4 5 15 74 0 5 6 87 5 2 2 4 48 40 0 4 8

q41 Looking back, how much do you think the economic policies of George W. Bush contributed to the nation's economic downturn -- a lot, some, not much, or not at all? A lot Some Not much Not at all DK/NA 48 33 12 6 1 18 52 19 8 3 74 16 8 1 1 46 33 12 7 2

q42 Looking back, how much do you think the economic policies of Barack Obama contributed to the nation's economic downturn -- a lot, some, not much, or not at all? A lot Some Not much Not at all DK/NA 34 30 23 12 1 62 25 10 3 0 11 33 30 23 3 33 31 27 8 1

16

q43 BLANK q44 How much do you think Barack Obama cares about the needs and problems of people like yourself--a lot, some, not much, or not at all? ** REGISTERED VOTERS ** *** Party ID *** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % 38 12 68 31 25 29 20 28 18 21 7 24 18 37 4 16 1 1 1 1

A lot Some Not much Not at all DK/NA

Apr12a % 34 28 17 20 1

q45 Do you think Barack Obama shares the values most Americans try to live by, or doesn't he? Apr10a % 59 36 5

Does Does not DK/NA

57 38 5

28 69 3

85 12 3

55 40 5

q46 Do you think Barack Obama says what he believes most of the time, or does he say what he thinks people want to hear? Apr12a 46 51 3

What he believes What people want to hear DK/NA

45 51 4

20 78 2

73 23 4

39 56 5

q47 If Barack Obama were re-elected, do you think his policies would improve your own financial situation, make it worse, or would his policies not have any effect on your own financial situation? Improve it Make it worse Not have any effect DK/NA 26 39 30 5 2 70 22 6 51 10 33 6 21 43 32 4 26 38 33 3

q48 Which comes closest to your view of Barack Obama's economic policies: 1. They are improving the economy now, and will probably continue to do so, OR 2. They have not improved the economy yet, but will if given more time, OR 3. They are not improving the economy and probably never will. Improving economy 17 Not improved but will in time 34 Not improving and never will 45 Made economy worse (vol.) 1 DK/NA 3 6 14 78 1 1 32 55 10 0 3 12 31 51 2 4

17

q49 Do you think Barack Obama has or has not delivered the change he promised during his 2008 presidential campaign? IF YES, ASK: Has that change mostly been good for the country, or mostly been bad for the country? ** REGISTERED VOTERS ** *** Party ID *** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % 28 4 56 22 7 13 1 9 58 76 35 64 7 7 8 5

Has delivered change, good Has delivered change, bad Has not delivered change Don't know/No answer

q50 Does Barack Obamas approach to stimulate job growth make you more likely to vote for him, less likely to vote for him, or doesn't it affect how you will vote one way or another? More likely Less likely No effect Don't know/No answer 29 26 43 2 9 49 42 0 59 5 35 1 19 29 51 1

q51 How much do you think Mitt Romney cares about the needs and problems of people like yourself--a lot, some, not much, or not at all? A lot Some Not much Not at all DK/NA 25 30 20 21 4 49 36 6 4 5 8 20 34 34 4 23 35 18 21 3

q52 Do you think Mitt Romney shares the values most Americans try to live by, or doesn't he? Does Does not DK/NA 58 34 8 87 9 4 33 59 8 60 31 9

q53 Do you think Mitt Romney says what he believes most of the time, or does he say what he thinks people want to hear? Apr12a % 27 62 11

What he believes What people want to hear DK/NA

37 56 7

65 28 7

13 81 6

37 54 9

q54 If Mitt Romney were elected, do you think his policies would improve your own financial situation, make it worse, or would his policies not have any effect on your own financial situation? Improve it Make it worse Not have any effect DK/NA 32 25 34 9 56 5 34 5 11 50 28 11 33 19 38 10 28 26 36 10

18

q55 Does Mitt Romney's experience as head of the private equity firm, Bain Capital, make you more likely to vote for him, less likely to vote for him, or doesn't it affect how you will vote one way or another? ** REGISTERED VOTERS ** *** Party ID *** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % 14 29 2 13 23 5 39 22 60 63 55 62 3 3 4 3

More likely Less likely No effect Don't know/No answer

q56 Does Mitt Romney's personal wealth make you more likely to vote for him, less likely to vote for him, or doesn't it affect how you will vote one way or another? More likely Less likely No effect Don't know/No answer 5 20 73 2 11 4 84 1 1 37 61 1 4 18 77 1

q57 If elected, how closely do you think Mitt Romney would follow the economic policies of George W. Bush -- very closely, somewhat closely, or not too closely or not at all closely? Very closely Somewhat closely Not too closely Not at all closely DK/NA 19 46 18 7 10 6 50 25 8 11 35 47 6 5 7 16 43 22 9 10

q58 In general, do you think the policies of the Obama Administration favor the rich, favor the middle class, favor the poor, or do they treat all groups equally? Feb12a % 25 19 20 26 10

Favor Favor Favor Treat DK/NA

the the the all

rich middle class poor equally

21 22 24 25 8

29 11 37 12 11

14 34 8 39 5

21 19 28 23 9

q59 If Mitt Romney is elected President, do you think the policies of his administration will favor the rich, favor the middle class, favor the poor, or will they treat all groups equally? Favor Favor Favor Treat DK/NA the the the all rich middle class poor equally 53 11 2 30 4 18 16 4 57 5 88 3 1 5 3 47 14 1 33 5

q60-64 SEPARATE RELEASE

19

q65 Is your opinion of Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts favorable, not favorable, undecided, or haven't you heard enough about John Roberts yet to have an opinion? ** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** *** Party ID *** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % 14 12 14 14 12 20 8 10 20 18 21 19 53 48 56 55 1 2 1 2

Favorable Not favorable Undecided Haven't heard enough Refused q66-68 SEPARATE RELEASE

q69 From what you've heard or read, do you approve or disapprove of the health care law that was enacted in 2010? IF APPROVE, ASK: Do you strongly approve or somewhat approve? IF DISAPPROVE, ASK: Do you somewhat disapprove or strongly disapprove? ** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** *** Party ID *** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % 14 2 31 9 22 5 33 24 14 19 11 14 36 66 9 38 14 8 16 15

Strongly approve Somewhat approve Somewhat disapprove Strongly disapprove Don't know/No answer

May12b % 18 16 12 36 18

q70 As you may know, the Supreme Court upheld most of the 2010 health care law. Do you think the Supreme Court's decision to keep the health care law mostly in place was a good thing or a bad thing? Good thing Bad thing Both good/bad (vol.) Don't know/No answer 46 41 2 11 18 71 2 9 76 12 2 10 40 46 2 12

q71 Do you think the ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that upheld most of the 2010 health care law was mainly based on legal analysis or mainly based on the justices' personal or political views? Legal analysis Personal or political views Both (vol.) Don't know/No answer 31 53 2 14 21 65 1 13 43 42 2 13 29 56 2 13

20

q72 Thinking about your vote for president, does the ruling by the Supreme Court that upheld most of the 2010 health care law make you more likely to vote for Barack Obama, more likely to vote for Mitt Romney, or will the ruling by the Supreme Court not have much of an effect on your vote for president? ***** REGISTERED VOTERS Total Obama Voters Voters % % 13 28 28 1 55 68 1 1 0 0 3 2 ***** Romney Voters % 1 55 41 1 0 2

More likely for Obama More likely for Romney Not much of an effect Neither (vol.) Won't vote (vol.) Don't know/No answer

q73 What would you like to see Congress do when it comes to the health care law? 1. Expand the health care law, OR 2. Keep the entire health care law as it is, OR 3. Repeal the part of the law that requires Americans to obtain health insurance if they don't have it, but keep the rest of the law intact, OR 4. Repeal the entire health care law. ** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** *** Party ID *** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % 17 2 34 12 15 6 25 12 27 27 22 30 34 60 11 36 7 5 8 10

Expand the law Keep entire law in place Repeal the mandate Repeal the entire law DK/NA

q74 Regardless of how you feel about the part of the law that requires Americans to obtain health insurance if they don't have it or pay a fine, do you consider the fine to be more of a tax or more of a penalty on Americans who don't obtain health insurance? Tax Penalty No difference (vol.) DK/NA 34 55 3 8 40 54 4 2 29 59 3 9 36 52 4 8

q75 Do you think it is still possible to start out poor in this country, work hard, and become rich? Oct11a % 75 24 1

Possible Not possible Don't know/No answer

71 27 2

78 20 2

61 33 6

73 26 1

q76 Do you think it should be legal or not legal for same-sex couples to marry? Legal Not legal Don't know/No answer 46 44 10 32 60 8 61 29 10 44 47 9

21

q77 Which comes closest to your view about the tax cuts passed in 2001 and 2003? 1. The tax cuts should be continued for everyone. Or 2. The tax cuts should only continue for households earning less than $250,000 a year. Or 3. The tax cuts should expire for everyone. ** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** *** Party ID *** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % 27 42 18 24 49 36 62 48 17 16 14 21 7 6 6 7

Continue for all Continue for those earning Expire for all Don't know/No answer
*omits 2003

Nov10c* % 26 53 14 7

q78 How concerned are you that in the next 12 months you or someone else in your household might be out of work and looking for a job--very concerned, somewhat concerned, or not concerned at all? ** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** *** Party ID *** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % 39 35 38 42 27 25 29 27 33 39 31 30 1 1 2 1

Very concerned Somewhat concerned Not at all concerned DK/NA

Feb12a % 38 27 35 0

Total Respondents Total Republicans Total Democrats Total Independents Total Registered Voters Registered Republican Registered Democrats Registered Independents

UNWEIGHTED 1,089 304 341 444 942 275 302 365

WEIGHTED

274 350 465

237 292 365

22